It is important for grassroots clubs to understand the importance of referees and how your club can play an active role in ensuring that any referee experience is a positive one.
we know the needs of different groups can vary significantly so customizing the education and mentorship has a greater impact and provide a better retention rate for women and young referees.
Consider things like providing uniforms specifically made for women, providing equal pay, ensure they get regular games (not just the women’s), having access to education and mentors. The way women are treated by teams and organisations can at times make things more difficult for female referees. By ensuring that all policies and procedures are governed by fairness and recognise that due to their gender they can be a target for abuse.
The Women's Football Development Guide (pages 94 to 111) will help your club to understand the importance of referees and how your club can play an active role in ensuring that any referee experience is a positive one.
This section will assist your club in realising how you can:
* Help provide opportunities for female referees
* Recruit and retain referees in your competitions
* Help build unintimidating and supportive environments for referees
* Encourage your players to show referees the respect they deserve